Cluden vs Stuart: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cluden and Stuart are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 6.4 km and 8.3 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cluden runs $1,142 a year cheaper than Stuart, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,091.
Over 10 years, Cluden costs about $13,100 less to run than Stuart — the same as paying $13,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Stuart
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cluden | Stuart | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,058 | $2,600 | -$542 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,800 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,700 | $10,842 | -$1,142 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $8,434 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cluden | Stuart | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Cluden vs Stuart (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cluden costs $1,142 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,091 in favour of Cluden.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $7,834 from Cluden versus $8,434 from Stuart.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cluden by $542 a year, $2,058 against $2,600.
- Building insurance favours Cluden by $600 a year, $4,200 against $4,800.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cluden cumulative | Stuart cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,700 | $10,842 | $1,142 |
| Year 3 | $29,982 | $33,512 | $3,530 |
| Year 5 | $51,499 | $57,562 | $6,063 |
| Year 10 | $111,200 | $124,291 | $13,091 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cluden or Stuart cheaper to live in?
Cluden is cheaper to run by car at $9,700 per year versus $10,842 for Stuart, a difference of $1,142 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cluden and Stuart?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Cluden (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Stuart (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Cluden and $2,099 in Stuart. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cluden and Stuart?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,058 from Cluden and $2,600 from Stuart to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cluden and $192 from Stuart.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cluden and Stuart?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cluden costs a cumulative $111,200 and Stuart costs $124,291 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,091 in favour of Cluden. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cluden and Stuart is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Townsville City Council and Townsville City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.